Characteristics of Comfortable Sheet Switches on Control Panels of Electrical Appliances: Comparison Using Older and Younger Users

摘要

This study focuses on sheet switches, which are among the most common user interfaces in electrical appliances, and explores the comfort level required by elderly users. Touching a switch is a common action in our daily lives; however, little research has been performed on this action. In particular, we were unable to find any reports on the comfort elderly users experience upon touching a sheet switch. Thus, electrical-appliance designers have no well-prepared reference data when designing new products. As a consequence, elderly users experience discomfort when using new appliances. Our goal is to construct a guideline for designing comfortable sheet switches for elderly users. In this study, as the first step toward achieving this goal, we attempt to clarify the physical parameters of sheet-switch features that contribute toward ease of use and comfort.